Cremation casket



Feb, 21, 1928. 1,660,019

1.. H. TAZZA CREMATI ON CASKET Filed Dec 15. 1925 I I I m u I I LUCY H. TAZZA W ATTK.

Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

insane PATENT-OFFICE.

v LUCY H. TAZZA, OF SAN FRANGISCO,GALIFOMIA- CBEMATION CASKET.

Application filed December 15, 1925. Serial 1 (0. 75,552.

My invention relates to improvements in caskets for cremation purposes wherein a casket is formed from compressed paper or other compressed combustible fibrous mate- 6 rial and provided with removable hardware whereby the casket may be burned with a minimum of residue and with a minimum of waste.

In performing cremation, the practice has 10 commonly been to place the body to be cremated in an elaborate and expensive casket of the type commonly used for burial purposes, the body and casket being placed in the cremation furnace and consumed together. Caskets of this type are made of relatively costly materials and construction 7 and are provided with ornamental hardware of an expensive nature. The consuming of a casket of this form constitutesan economic waste as the combustible 'materials are of ,course entirely consumed and the hardware and fittings rendered unfit for further use. In addition the cost is so great as to be ex.- tremely burdensome upon persons whose means are limited. I

In order to avoid this economic waste and to provide a cremation casket .of relatively low cost I have devised my new and improved casket, the primary purpose of which is to provide, as a new article of manufac ture, a casket formed from compressed paper whereby the casket can be produced at. a very low cost and may be entirely consumed in the cremation process. p

Another object is to provide an improved casket provided with removable hardware whereby said hardware may be removed before the casket is placed in the furnace and which may be used repeatedly.

A still further obj roved device of the character described whereby the hardware may be easily adjusted to caskets of various sizes, and readily applied and removed.

A still further object is to provide a device wherein detachable bands of flexible metal serve to secure the cover upon the easket and to form mountings for handles whereby the casket may be lifted and moved.

I accomplish these and other objects by means of the improved device disclosed in the drawings forming a part of the present invention wherein like characters of reference are used to designate similar parts ect is to provide an im-' throughout said specification andv drawings and 1n which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my im casket provided with a removable cover 2. The body and cover are formed from compressed paper or other-suitable combustible fibrous material adapted to be molded, pressed, or otherwise shaped to form the casket.

A pair of flexible .bands ,3, preferably formed from flexible metal, are arranged to extend around the casket adjacent the ends thereof, the ends of said bands being arranged to overlap upon the top of the casket. The overlying end of each band is provided with a pair of apertures t spaced apart a distance slightly less thanthe width of the top of the smallest casket to which the bands are to be applied. Theunderlying end of each band 3 is provided with a plurality of apertures 6 relatively closely spaced and so arranged that said apertures 6 will register in pairs with the apertures 4. The overlapping ends are, secured together by means of securing elements. inserted and secured through the apertures l and a pair of the v apertures 6, said securing elements preferably consisting of threaded stems 7 having base portions 8 arranged to be engaged between the underlying portion of the band and the top of the casket. Knobs 9 or other suitable members are tapped to be threaded onto the upwardly extending ends of the stems 7 to secure the bands in position around the casket.

Handles 11 of suitable size and form are mounted upon the bands 3 upon opposite sides of the casket whereby the casket may be lifted and moved. The handles are made adjustable upon the bands, preferably by threading the bands through openings 12 formed in a base 13 upon which the handles are carried. By this construction the ket itself is shaped and finished in any suitable manner, preferably of a moderately ornate appearance and of rich finish conforming to the relatively elaborate forms used in common practice.

The body is placed in the casket in the ordinary manner, and during the funeral services will present an appearance not materially different fromtlie forms of caskets heretofore used; While the cover is removed from' the casket, the flexible bands 3 are turned outwardly and downwardly and-held out of the way in. any convenient, manner. When the casket is closed, the bands are extended upwardly around the sides of the casket and secured in overlapping relationas above described. Theeasket may now be readily lifted and moved by means of the handles 11 carried by the bands 3, the weight being supported and carried upon the bands 3.

After the casket, has been transportedto the cremation furnace, the bands 3 are disengaged and removed from the casket. The casket and the body therein contained is then inserted into the furnace in the ordi nary manner and the cremation performed. The casket, being formed. entirely of compressed paper, is readily and completely consumed within the furnace. The hard ware, consisting of the bands, securing members, and handles are however saved and maybe used repeatedly.

The compressed paper construction provides a casket which can be constructed at a relatively low cost, and as the casket. does not require the rugged and resistant character required for caskets intended for pur poses of burial, accomplishes its purposeas.

fully and effectively as the more costlyforms commonly used heretoforef In this manner the economic waste caused by the burning of costly caskets and expensive fittings may be entirely eliminated, andat the same time accomplish a material saving to the individual purchaser.

The flexible metal bands andffittings, as

character of the bands and handles permitsthem to be applied quickly and easily to caskets of various sizes and shapes, thereby reducing the numberof sets of suchbands necessary for use by the undertaking es' tabhshment or Crematory.

l/Vhile I have illustrated and. described only one form and construction of myinvention, it will readily be seen that the in vention is subject to modification in numerous ways. I therefore do not wish to restrict myself to the specific details ofconstruction disclosecLbut desire to availmy self of all modifications which may fall within the scope of the appended'claim,

Having thus described my inventionwhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is,

The combination witha cremation casket, of a pair of flexible bands adapted to ex-. tend around the casket adjacent the ends thereof, said bands having a pair of spaced" apertures formed adjacent one end and a plurality of closely spaced apertures formed in the opposite end, said closely ,spaced apertures being adapted to register in pairs with the first mentioned apertures; and handles adjustably secured upon the bands and adapted to bejheld thereby upon opposite sides of the casket whereby the casket may be lifted and moved; i

LUCY H; .TAZZA; 

